With just 10 days left until his second term begins, President Donald Trump was compelled to appear virtually before Judge Juan Merchan for sentencing in one of several court cases that critics have described as unsuccessful efforts to derail Trump’s political career.
As Merchan had previously signaled, Trump was not given any penalty during Friday’s sentencing hearing.
According to The Hill:
New York jurors in May found him guilty of 34 felonies over a scheme intended to unlawfully sway the 2016 election by concealing a payment to a porn actor to keep quiet about their alleged affair, which Trump has denied.
“After careful analysis and obedience of government mandates, pursuant of law, the court feels the only sentence is an unconditional discharge, which is a lawful and permissible sentence for falsifying business records,” Merchan said, according to The Hill’s affiliate, NewsNation, which was in the courtroom.
“I impose that sentence for all 34 counts, and sir, I wish you godspeed as you pursue your second term in office,” the judge said.
With the judge’s permission, Trump appeared virtually for the roughly 40-minute sentencing hearing Friday.
While the hearing might have kept Trump out of jail, Merchan’s ruling wasn’t enough to silence the outrage of those who believe the entire trial was part of a larger politically motivated witch hunt.
Many critics, including some prominent Republicans, spoke out against the judge via social media:
🚨 Just In – Trump Sentencing!
– A trial that took 5 weeks!
– Charges that have never tried before!
– Reversible error evident daily!
– Two years of assassination of character and bloviating of TDS pundits
– Millions of taxpayers dollars spent on it all
– Sentencing for the… pic.twitter.com/gSP3YsV41s— Phil Williams (@SenPhilWilliams) January 10, 2025
Today’s sentencing of President Trump confirms what the American people have known all along: these trials have been pure political persecution.
The American people overwhelmingly rejected the weaponized judiciary and politicized lawfare. This ends January 20th.
— Rep. Jason Smith (@RepJasonSmith) January 10, 2025
No conditions.
No prison time.
No probation time.
No fine or punishment.This travesty of justice was overt lawfare, election interference, & a complete waste of time & money:
❌There was NEVER a case
❌The agency of jurisdiction wouldn't file suit
❌The "star witness" was a… pic.twitter.com/bNpZ9yceJa— Byron Donalds (@ByronDonalds) January 10, 2025
Fox News provided additional coverage of the blowback:
“What a joke and a disgrace,” wrote Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., on X.
“This witch hunt and ruling was an insult to the American people,” she added.
Rep. Rudy Yakym, R-Ind., sounded off on the sentencing as well, writing, “Today’s sentencing is an unfortunate reminder that Democrats will stop at nothing, including weaponizing the justice system to try and destroy President Trump. Rest assured, their efforts have and will continue to fail. America’s comeback begins in 10 days.”
Despite Trump’s attempts to delay the sentencing, it went forward just 10 days before his inauguration.
Here’s some additional commentary on the matter:
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